Kuya Soto’s Filipino Cuisine.

Chocolate and pumpkin.

Before I forget, I should mention this. On my last day in St. Vincent, the relatives and I swung by Kuya Soto’s restaurant on the boardwalk. Kuya Soto is  a good family friend, one of the first individuals to greet Ate Jhoanape on this island when she first arrived nearly 10 years ago.

Kuya Soto’s Oriental Cuisine, the official name of his restaurant, caters to all, but I’m assuming the bulk of his customers come from the cruise ships that anchor in the bay and the residents of Kingstown.

Kuya Soto’s restaurant offers more than just Filipino cuisine. He provides a mixture of Vincentian and Filipino dishes that most patrons mix and combine when ordering.

The gallery below is a selection of pancit, fried fish, bbq pork and beef, and fried rice. Of course, I had to add some dessert.

After hours.

Four more.

Chocolate and pumpkin.

Tables and chairs.

Basket and fan.

Umbrella.

Side-view.

Fried and glazed fish.

Oriental Cuisine sign.

Schedule.

Close-up of fan.

Heading Home.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Well, today is my last day in Kingstown. I’m flying out to San Juan, Puerto Rico and Chicago before returning to California. I should be back in Washington state in time for my father’s birthday, my niece’s birthday, and Thanksgiving! There’s plenty to look forward to but I already miss this place.

I intend to keep my promise about posting recipes and I still have an enormous amount of pictures to post so keep checking back for new material. It’s currently up in the air – I’m hoping to return July of next year. Don’t forget to visit the bakery if you get the chance. 🙂

– Anthony

Countdown.

I think Examiner writer, Debbra Brouillette, said it best, “While Halloween is now the United States’ second most popular holiday (after Christmas)…its celebration is almost non-existent in the Caribbean region.”

Yesterday, I didn’t see one display of Halloween décor while I walked the crowded streets of Kingstown.

We did have a show in Victoria Park where Queen Ifrit and other musicians were scheduled to perform ( I believe that was her name). Promoters were passing out free concert tickets in full-on Rasta-hair and knit hats.  My memory is a little bit hazy at the moment; stayed up past 2 a.m. and couldn’t sleep. The bay is like a huge amphitheater – you won’t and cannot escape the music unless you travel north and over the hills to the other side of the island.

Regarding Caribbean coconut crackers, I can munch on those goodies any day, every day. JirahMae protested my vocal indulgence, a mistake on my part, by declaring the crackers were hers. I never saw those snacks again.

Doesn’t bother me. My late-night munching makes up for that.

Did I mention I’ve gained 15 lbs since I’ve been here? In less than two weeks. I’m on a mission!

Stateside in three.

Making Atis.

Breakfast in October.

This tasted great.

There’s always plenty of fruit and fried eggs in the morning. I like the “steak-striped” toast and extra crispy bacon, cucumber sandwiches.

Watermelon everyday. Can’t beat that.

Spent most of the day trying to upload videos and pictures. I’m still far behind. Hope to catch up today. Oh yeah…

…this looked fun.

The Goods.

 

A delightful assortment of goodies.

From one island to another. Filipino baked goodies in the Grenadines. If you’re nearby or simply want to inquire about the products here at the bakery, feel free to contact the owners, Randy and Jhoanape Kennedy through the following methods.

Phone: 1-784-457-2377

Email: vincentbakery@gmail.com

Fax: 1-784-457-9566

You can also contact Randy’s Super Market as well. I’ll have the addresses posted soon. Just remember, both locations are on the main island in Kingstown.

Phone: 1-784-456-2994

Email: randyssupermarket@yahoo.com

Fax: 1-784-457-9566

Happy Hunting!

Atis cluster.

Golden brown.

Squash bread (coated and plain).

Sugared ensaymada.

Rolls of German choco.

A delightful assortment of goodies.

Mini-cinnamon rolls.

Star pastries.

Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Vincentian Independence.

Photograph courtesy of Searchlight Newspaper.

Happy 30th Anniversary, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines! The Vincentian Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, spoke to the nation via television at Victoria Park promising $200 [EC] allowances for every student and millions set aside to promote nursing, education, and other incentives.

But before I make this post purely about politics, I’ll promise you this – a recipe (or two) is in order.

Funstuff, eh? Expect one in the next few days.

Baked.

Glorious.

Busier than Ever.

The bakery was insanely busy. This just confirms what has been said since I first stepped foot into the building: another oven is desperately needed.

Speaking from first hand experience, this bread is superb compared to the store-bought Wonder wannabe-brands back at home in the states. Heh, heh, the “States”. I like how that rolls off my tongue.

The bread is like butter, hot out of the oven. No joke.

A Dozen Dolphins.

Did I mention that I saw a pod of dolphins swimming in the ocean yesterday? There must have been a dozen of them tossing around. Too bad I didn’t pull out my camera in time. Reminded plenty of a Blerp discussion that I posted not too long ago about the dolphin massacre in Japan.

Now that I’ve killed your appetite…
🙂

Brunch.

Juice.

Welcome to Bequia.

Beautiful island is an understatement. We took the ferry to Bequia this morning; the trip was 45 minutes each way and so worth it. Bequia was everything you’ve seen on those sexy travel ads, commercials, and magazines tempting customers with solitary beaches, palm trees, and leisurely yacht activities.

Here’s a preview of the scenery. You can find the rest of the collection back here.

Bequia 04.

Bequia 03.

Bequia 02.

Bequia 01.